ITV puts dramas on hold

ITV has shelved a host of lavish, bigname dramas while it broadcasts cheaper shows in a bid to save money, it is claimed today.

Multi-million pound shows including an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's The Mayor Of Casterbridge and a drama about serial killer Harold Shipman have been commissioned and filmed but will not be screened until the station can afford it, a senior television executive said.

Granada's head of drama and comedy, Andy Harries, said the shows have been shelved because of ITV's accounting system, which registers money as being spent only when programmes are broadcast.

The collapse in advertising revenue combined with the channel's decision to spend millions of pounds on football rights means ITV accountants are keen to hang on to their expensive dramas and wait until the advertising return picks up.

Mr Harries told The Express: "ITV chose to spend its money in certain areas such as football and some would argue the wisdom of that choice. In the old days there used to be a drama on just about every night of the week, but that has been severely reduced.

"There is a lot of stuff piling up now which is expensive to broadcast because of this weird accounting system, but it would be better for everyone if we could clear any backlog.

"All broadcasters get stuff they've commissioned that might not be quite up to scratch, or which is a bit experimental or risky, and that can get pushed back, but I can't remember a time when there was so much piled up untransmitted."

Other shows which have not yet been broadcast include a new series of Hercule Poirot featuring David Suchet, and a drama based on Kingsley Amis's satire Lucky Jim.

Mr Harries said that ITV's belttightening contrasted with the BBC's recent raft of successes.

"They have come storming back with very good shows like Spooks and Auf Wiedersehen Pet and with very well organised schedules. But they have far more money and an inflation-proof budget. An episode of Auf Wiedersehen Pet cost roughly double one of the Forsyte Saga."

ITV drama controller Nick Elliott admitted budgeting was one of the reasons the high-quality dramas had been shelved, adding: "There will be no drama on Sunday nights for the next few months and it's a long time since that was the case."

However, sources say the network has been buoyed by its release from ITV Digital, and it will spend a further £25 million on boosting ITV1's drama and entertainment output. A further £3 million will be spent in a shake-up of regional programming.

? A two-part BBC1 drama based on New Labour's rise to power is being filmed in London. The Project will star Matthew Macfadyen, Naomi Harris and Paloma Baeza.